New York Times Connections asks you to sort 16 words into four groups of four. Today’s groups use related meanings, a shared purpose, a common following word, and food names hidden at the ends.
NYT Connections #1253 Puzzle Overview: 15 November 2026
RECORD and JET each have more than one meaning. Check that a proposed connection works for all four entries before submitting.
The sixteen words on today’s board are: JET, TRAVEL, SLEEK, RECORD, REGISTRY, ARCHIVE, INCLINED, DRESS CODE, RAPSCALLION, ALL-TIME, RSVP, CARTESIAN, HISTORIC, ASTRAL, OCTONION, UNPRECEDENTED.
NYT Connections Hints: 15 November 2026
Each of the four color groups below opens in four steps: hints, one word, the category name, then all four words. Stop at the step that gives enough help.
Yellow group
Step 1 · two hints
- These describe something that stands apart from earlier examples.
- Think of descriptions for a feat that surpasses previous achievements.
Step 2 · one word
ALL-TIME
Step 3 · category
UNMATCHED
Step 4 · all four words
ALL-TIME, HISTORIC, RECORD, UNPRECEDENTED
Green group
Step 1 · two hints
- These help guests prepare for a couple’s celebration.
- Think of online information about attire, gifts, attendance, and getting there.
Step 2 · one word
DRESS CODE
Step 3 · category
WEDDING WEBSITE SECTIONS
Step 4 · all four words
DRESS CODE, REGISTRY, RSVP, TRAVEL
Blue group
Step 1 · two hints
- Each can be followed by the same word.
- The following word can mean an aircraft or a flat surface.
Step 2 · one word
ASTRAL
Step 3 · category
___ PLANE
Step 4 · all four words
ASTRAL, CARTESIAN, INCLINED, JET
Purple group
Step 1 · two hints
- Look for food names hidden at the ends.
- Each hidden food is a relative of garlic.
Step 2 · one word
ARCHIVE
Step 3 · category
ENDING IN VEGETABLES IN THE ALLIUM FAMILY
Step 4 · all four words
ARCHIVE, OCTONION, RAPSCALLION, SLEEK
Less common words explained
- CARTESIAN: It can describe a coordinate system that locates points using perpendicular axes.
- OCTONION: It is a mathematical number with eight components.
- RAPSCALLION: It is an old-fashioned word for a mischievous or dishonest person.
NYT Connections Answers: 15 November 2026
Step 4 of each group above holds its answer. The full solved grid and notes on today’s tricky words are folded below.
Full solved grid
Tricky words (spoilers)
RECORD can mean a written account, suggesting a connection to REGISTRY in the wedding website group. Here, its sense of a best-ever achievement places it in UNMATCHED with ALL-TIME, HISTORIC, and UNPRECEDENTED.
The blue entries all take PLANE after them: ASTRAL PLANE, CARTESIAN PLANE, INCLINED PLANE, and JET PLANE.
ARCHIVE ends in CHIVE, OCTONION ends in ONION, RAPSCALLION ends in SCALLION, and SLEEK ends in LEEK. Those hidden endings name vegetables in the allium family.
Yesterday’s groups for 14 November 2026
- CUTTING-EDGE: ADVANCED, FOREMOST, MODERN, PROGRESSIVE
- LOCATIONS FOR AN INSTITUTION: CAMPUS, CENTER, COMPLEX, FACILITY
- STRATEGY BOARD GAMES: CHESS, GO, OTHELLO, STRATEGO
- BABY GEAR WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED: BATTLE, MARRIAGE, MOTTLE, TRIB
More Connections: Yesterday’s puzzle · Play Connections on The New York Times
Also today: Wordle · Strands · Pips · Phrazle · Quordle · Keyword · Colordle · Unwordle · Hurdle · NYT Crossword · NYT Mini · NYT Midi · Jumble · Spelling Bee · Letter Boxed · Parseword · Poeltl
Earlier days: 14 Nov · 13 Nov · 12 Nov · 11 Nov · 10 Nov · 9 Nov · 8 Nov
Questions about Connections
When does Connections change to a new puzzle?
A new puzzle arrives at midnight in the player’s own time zone.
How many tries does a player get in Connections?
The game ends after four mistakes.
Where can a person play Connections?
Play on The New York Times Games site or in the NYT Games app: Connections.
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